A Vision Realized: A Night at the Theater at the Motherhouse
- May 5
- 3 min read
Updated: May 6
April 23, 2026
A Night at the Theater: Community, History, and Connection at the Motherhouse
At Developers Collaborative, we often talk about creating spaces that bring people together. At the Motherhouse, that vision is coming to life in both natural and meaningful ways.
Originally a historic convent and now home to 88 apartment residences, the Motherhouse was redeveloped with connection in mind, preserving spaces like the chapel not just for their history, but for how they could continue to be used. Watch a video tour of Motherhouse to see the space firsthand.
Recently, that intention came to life during a Night at the Theater held inside the historic building.
This is an example of the broader impact of the work by creating not just housing, but opportunities for connection, participation, and community over time.
An Evening Rooted in Connection
Residents and neighbors came together over a shared spaghetti dinner, much of it prepared by members of the community themselves. Tables filled quickly, conversations flowed easily, and the welcoming, generous and connected tone of the night was set.
These are the times when neighbors turn into community.
A Historic Space, Reimagined
After dinner, residents gathered in the chapel which is a defining space within Motherhouse and a central part of its redevelopment.
Preserved for its architectural beauty and cultural significance, the chapel continues to serve as a place of gathering. Its stained-glass windows and soaring ceilings create an atmosphere that is both intimate and uplifting, an ideal setting for shared experiences.
Today, the chapel, also known as Stevens Square Haven, remains an active gathering space and is available for community and private events, continuing its role as a place designed to bring people together.
This particular night, it became a stage.
DC Management Property Manager Jackie Condon, joined by Andrew Carney and Chris Figaratto, with William Sawyer on piano, performed a series of Broadway favorites that filled the space with energy, humor, and emotion.
Each piece contributed to a larger shared experience, one that brought residents together not just as an audience, but as participants in something meaningful.
More Than a Performance
What stood out most about the evening was not just the music, but the feeling in the room.
As one resident shared,
“I have just experienced such kindness.”
That sense of care and connection is exactly what the Motherhouse was designed to support.
For Jackie Condon, the experience reflected the spirit of the community:
“What a wonderful evening. Building community is what it’s all about. I’m grateful to work for a company that allows me to share my talents and to have two incredibly talented friends join me.”
This speaks to the kind of environment at the Motherhouse, one where residents and team members feel comfortable spending time together, showing up for one another, and being part of something larger. It's a direct reflection of how the community was envisioned from the start.
A Vision Realized
At the Motherhouse, the physical transformation of the building was only the beginning.
The real measure of success is what happens after people move in. How spaces are used, how relationships form, and how a sense of belonging takes shape over time. This is where design intent meets lived experience.
Events like this reflect that ongoing process.
As Kevin Bunker, Principal at Developers Collaborative, shared:
“This community is becoming exactly what I always hoped it would be, awesome.”
A Community That Continues to Grow
While each Developers Collaborative community is unique, the intention is consistent: to create places that support connection, encourage participation, and evolve with the people who call them home.
At the Motherhouse, that intention is visible in moments like this. Residents cooking together, gathering in a historic space, sharing music, and building relationships that extend beyond their front doors.
Because ultimately, community is not just where you live, it’s what you create together.